Aircraft

Volocopter introduces its most powerful flying taxi yet

Volocopter introduces its most powerful flying taxi yet
The VoloCity aircraft, as it is now known, has been designed to meet the certification standards laid out by the European Aviation Safety Agency
The VoloCity aircraft, as it is now known, has been designed to meet the certification standards laid out by the European Aviation Safety Agency
View 5 Images
The VoloCity aircraft, as it is now known, has been designed to meet the certification standards laid out by the European Aviation Safety Agency
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The VoloCity aircraft, as it is now known, has been designed to meet the certification standards laid out by the European Aviation Safety Agency
Little by little, Volocopter has continued to refine the design of flying taxi since we first spotted it back in 2013
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Little by little, Volocopter has continued to refine the design of flying taxi since we first spotted it back in 2013
The Volocopter is an all-electric aircraft its creators hope will one day lift two people at a time into the air over city centers
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The Volocopter is an all-electric aircraft its creators hope will one day lift two people at a time into the air over city centers
Having conducted a number of test flights in different locations, the next public outing for the Volocopter is planned for Singapore in the final quarter of the year
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Having conducted a number of test flights in different locations, the next public outing for the Volocopter is planned for Singapore in the final quarter of the year
Little by little, Volocopter has continued to refine the design of flying taxi since we first spotted it back in 201
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Little by little, Volocopter has continued to refine the design of flying taxi since we first spotted it back in 201
View gallery - 5 images

Little by little, Volocopter has continued to refine the design of its flying taxi since we first spotted it back in 2013. As the company eyes a commercial rollout of the electric aircraft in the coming years it has given it yet another makeover, showing off a rounder, cleaner design it says is the most powerful Volocopter yet.

The Volocopter is an all-electric aircraft its creators hope will one day lift two people at a time into the air over city centers, promising a clean, autonomous and fast form of travel that alleviates traffic and pollution. Now in its fourth generation, the latest Volocopter isn’t a wild departure from anything we’ve seen previously, and its basic capabilities remain the same.

The Volocopter is an all-electric aircraft its creators hope will one day lift two people at a time into the air over city centers
The Volocopter is an all-electric aircraft its creators hope will one day lift two people at a time into the air over city centers

Built to carry two people and their luggage, the VoloCity aircraft, as it is now known, has been designed to meet the certification standards laid out by the European Aviation Safety Agency. It uses 18 rotors and onboard batteries to quietly move through the air, with redundancies built into the critical systems to ensure safety.

The company says the redesign was guided by insights from over 1,000 test flights of earlier models, resulting in more aerodynamic rotor beams, a new flight stabilizer and greater lifting capacity. As a result of this more efficient design, range has increased from under 30 km to 35 km (18 to 21 mi), while top speed has been been upped from 100 km/h to 110 km/h (62 to 68 mph).

Little by little, Volocopter has continued to refine the design of flying taxi since we first spotted it back in 201
Little by little, Volocopter has continued to refine the design of flying taxi since we first spotted it back in 201

Aesthetically speaking, the VoloCity looks fairly similar to earlier versions, but with a more rounded exterior and fresh paint job. The company says the new aircraft is the most powerful it has produced, but will continue using the earlier models as part of its testing program. Having conducted a number of test flights in different locations, the next public outing for the Volocopter is planned for Singapore in the final quarter of the year.

Source: Volocopter

View gallery - 5 images
5 comments
5 comments
Carolyn Roberts
This might be a lot of fun for riders, but less fun for those of us who remain on the ground, walking underneath flocks of these buzzing, whining and sky-view-blocking gadgets.
paul314
Who's the target customer? That's barely faster than a taxi (OK, slower that some taxis I've been in) and doesn't have the range to get from most downtowns to an airport. Oh, and too big to land just anywhere. Maybe when the zombie apocalypse comes this is how bigwigs will escape by hopping from skyscraper to skyscraper?
guzmanchinky
Very cool concept. I look forward to these types of vehicles replacing helicopters.
ljaques
I'm with Carolyn in dreading the noise pollution from these things if they're popularized and legal.
Sharp looking little chopper, though.
MQ
Love the idea, hate the implementation (It all started as a 4× quadcopter and a bouncy ball) If this is the best way Aerospace experts can get a flying taxi working (hint: it is and it will end up much less reliable than a helicopter with none of the good points - cheap?? Think Uber Superbowl Surge.)